AUDI A5 Cabriolet Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Audi introduced the refreshed version of the A5’s first generation in 2011 and unveiled it at the Frankfurt Motor Show, trying to increase its presence in its home market.

During the world financial crisis, some automakers went bankrupt, and others were sold for peanuts. However, Audi recovered quickly and adapted to the new environment. It also considered refreshing the A5 lineup four years after the model’s introduction. For the four-ring automaker, it was business as usual. Even though the open-top version of the A5 was in last place in the sales competition among its stablemates, it was essential for improving the image of the lineup. Furthermore, since it shared many parts with the Coupe and the Sportback, it just came naturally to be refreshed as well.

One of the areas where the German automaker focused more was at the front of the car. The 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet came with new headlights. It featured new LED daytime running lights that encircled the inner side of the headlamps instead of being placed only on the lower area, like in the previous version. The broad grille between them was redesigned and featured horizontal slats with slim chromed details instead. Furthermore, the automaker introduced new rectangular fog lamps instead of round ones fitted for the 2009 model year.

From its profile, the drop-top version of the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet shared most of its body panels (fenders and doors) with its coupe sibling. The automaker also increased the car’s overall length by 10 mm (0.4-inch) due to the redesigned bumpers. In addition, the car was running on 18-inch light-alloy wheels with a new design, which improved the sporty look of the vehicle. There were also new options for the exterior colors, reaching a total number of 16. Another significant upgrade was for the taillights. They were available with new, continuous LED stripes, which improved the vehicle’s look. The rear bumper had a modified lower area, depending on the vehicle’s grade.

However, the interior was heavily revised and refined. Fronting the driver was a new instrument cluster. Instead of the binocular design, it had a simpler one, with clear round dials for the speedometer and tachometer featuring silver encirclements. The gauges for the fuel level and the temperature were smaller. Another upgrade was for the TFT display, which took center stage between the main dials. It had a sharper look and clear layout, which helped customers read data from the onboard computer quickly. A new, three-spoke steering wheel featuring a circular chromed trim in the middle replaced the one installed on the previous version, which had a trapezoidal-shaped decoration. On the center console, the automaker reduced the number of buttons, rearranging them for a cleaner, more intuitive use. Unfortunately, the most stringent problem related to the legroom for rear-seated passengers couldn’t be solved.

Under the hood, the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet was powered by new Euro 5 engines paired with either manual or automatic transmissions (dual-clutch or CVT). Like in the previous version, customers could order the vehicle with either front or all-wheel drive (quattro) systems.

Two years after introducing the A5's first generation, Audi unveiled the open-top version of its compact premium coupe, increasing the appeal of this nameplate among its customers and attracting new ones.

Audi didn't rush the A5 Cabriolet into production because it needed time to develop a car that could successfully stand next to other premium open-top vehicles. It needed a rag-top that could disappear while moving and do that in a timely manner. Moreover, Walter de Silva, who was in charge of Audi's design department, didn't want to spoil the look of "the most beautiful car I have ever designed," as he said about the 2007 A5 Coupe. The difficult task was to make the convertible look just as good with the top up or down and still provide the rest of the comfort and the driving experience customers expected from the car.

At the front, the 2009 Audi A5 Cabriolet shared its parts with its coupe sibling. It featured a large, reversed trapezoidal grille flanked by the standard xenon headlamps, which featured LED daytime running lights. On the lower side of the bumper, the car sported a pair of side scoops that housed the available fog lamps, while a lip spoiler underneath the apron completed the vehicle's sporty yet elegant look.

From its profile, the car revealed its open-top design with thick A-pillars that also served as rollover protection. The doors were also carried over from the coupe, featuring frameless windows and flush door handles. To make the car look more agile, the automaker added a sculptured, curved ascending line on the lower side of the bodywork. The 2009 Audi A5 Cabriolet had no visible safety arches behind the A-pillars. These were concealed behind the rear seats and could pop out in the event of a crash. Customers could uncover the car in 15 seconds and cover it back in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 kph (31 mph), so they didn't have to worry if rain came out of the blue sky. Furthermore, the automaker used a three-layered fabric roof instead of a retractable hard top because it took less space to store it between the rear seats and the trunk. Audi wanted to keep the vehicle practical enough for its customers.

The interior had bolstered seats at the front with available leather upholstery and a bench seat profiled for two in the back. Fronting the driver was the same instrument cluster as on the coupe version, featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer that flanked an LCD for the car's onboard computer. Atop the center stack, the automaker placed the screen for Audi's MMI (Man-Machine Interface), or the infotainment system in layman's terms. It could be controlled via a rotary knob placed on the center console, close to the button that opened or closed the roof. In the back, legroom was even more limited than in the A5 Coupe, which made it impractical for adult-sized occupants. However, the trunk space was generous with its 320 liters (11.3 cu-ft) with the top down, which was remarkable for its class. With the top up, luggage space increased by 60 liters (2.1 cu-ft).

When it chopped the roof of the A5, Audi had to add more steel on the car's lower part to make it stiffer. As a result, despite the multi-link front and rear suspension, the 2009 Audi A5 Cabriolet was slightly slower than its coupe sibling on high-speed cornering. However, the potent engines, either diesel or gasoline ones, helped the vehicle's dynamic behavior, but it didn't transform it into a sports car. It was more of a boulevard cruiser.